First look at this year's Apprentice hopefuls

The Apprentice returns to BBC One on Wednesday 25 March at 9pm and we've had a sneak peek at the 15 candidates who are hoping to win a job with Sir Alan this year.

There is a shock start to this year's series when the hopefuls find out within the first five minutes that one candidate has already buckled under the pressure and pulled out of the show the previous night.

This year's remaining hopefuls include a city stockbroker, an award-winning restaurant owner, a qualified lawyer, an aristocrat, an ex-professional footballer and a chess champion.

There are also two international candidates - a New Yorker who has performed at Carnegie Hall and a Tanzanian beauty queen.

As usual, Sir Alan gets straight to the point and tells them bluntly: "I don't care where you're from or what your last job was.

"You think you can second guess or play me? Well let me tell you, I'm as hard to play as a Stradivarius. You're as easy to play as the bongos. First prize – you get to work for me. Second prize – doesn't exist."

Take a look below to find out more about this year's Apprentice hopefuls...

Anita Shah

Age: 35
Career: Business Strategist
Qualifications: LLB in Law & Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Lives: Birmingham

Cricket fanatic Anita is a qualified lawyer and self-confessed perfectionist. Anita, who led a team to win at the Visa Business School in 2008, hopes to one day complete a chick-lit novel and launch a new business providing emotional, psychological and spiritual therapy. She is inspired by James Caan for believing that you can be successful by investing in relationships and being nice to people, rather than being ruthless or devious. Anita considers herself to be a humanitarian with a Bridget Jones alter-ego.

She says: "My CV is strong. I am articulate. I can deal with questions and make impactful statements. Many lawyers can't. People want to chat with me."

Debra Barr

Outspoken sales-woman Debra was awarded "mouth of the year" at her office Christmas party and confesses to being a bit tenacious. Buckinghamshire-born Debra considers herself to be a direct and driven sales-woman with a passion for business ... and a love of horses. She has had to fight illiteracy in her youth having struggled through her primary school years when, aged 10, she had the reading age of a six-year-old. Embodying her belief in overcoming objections, Debra went on to study English Literature at university. Inspired by Bill Gates and Sir Richard Branson, she is a go-getter who would rather ask for forgiveness than permission.

She says: "When I set my sights on something I have to make sure I get it. I am very cautious and only let the people that I can trust see the softer side of me."

Kate Walsh
Age: 27
Career: Licensing Development Manager
Qualifications: BSc in Psychology and Management
Lives: Hampshire

Born in Staffordshire, Kate is confident and resilient with what she describes as an ability to develop and sustain business relationships at all levels. The indie music fan lists cooking, snowboarding and gym workouts as passions she pursues with relentless enthusiasm. Although she regrets not applying to Oxbridge Kate, who admires the ballsy approach to business of Sex & The City's Samantha, continues to be a highly motivated and ambitious professional with an educated opinion on most issues.

She says: "My CV speaks for itself. I've always excelled academically and I have really achieved within a corporate environment across sales, marketing and a number of different aspects of business."

Kimberly Davis
Born in The Bronx, New-Yorker Kimberly is an accomplished musician and business owner who believes that no dream is too big. Kimberly's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed at an early age when, aged five, she started her own lemonade and ice tea stand. She has since gone on to launch highly successful marketing and development businesses. With an impressive musical history, Kimberly has performed Mozart at Carnegie Hall, danced onstage at Disney World, played flute in Disneyland's Electric Light Parade, and toured the US East Coast playing violin with the Essex County Chamber Orchestra. A strong believer in karma, Kimberly insists she has no poker face and lists Tiffany & Co, Chanel and Apple as her most inspiring brands.

She says: "I bring honesty and integrity to the table – I don't lie, cheat or backstab. I am not the stereotypical New Yorker and it's a stereotype I've faced."

Lorraine Tighe
Age: 36
Career: National Accounts Manager
Qualifications: NHC in Business Studies
Lives: Kent

Mother-of-two Lorraine was born in London and left school at 16. Since then she has gone on to be the top sales person in every company she has ever worked for and admires Victoria Beckham for being equally resourceful when doubted for having "not much talent". Talkative Lorraine admits to having very little education and has endured many trials and tribulations throughout her life. She sums up her attitude to business as the ability to drive a dead horse to the winning line.

She says: "I've fought against all the odds. I'm a single mum with no education and I've had a very hard time. It is tough, but to have the confidence I have I should be very proud of myself."

Mona Lewis
Age: 28
Career: Senior Financial Manager
Qualifications: A-Levels
Lives: Kent

Born in Karachi, former Tanzanian beauty-queen and stubborn mother-of-one Mona would love to have been the brains behind Tesco. She sees herself as shrewd and honest in business and believes that personal emotions should never interfere with decision making. Describing herself as an open-minded decision maker, Mona chose to apply for The Apprentice based on her desire to step out of her comfort zone and change the lives of herself and her son.

She says: "I knew I would be selected, not to sound big-headed ... I've succeeded in the companies I've worked for because I work hard and I'm honest."

Paula Jones
Age: 29
Career: Human Resource Consultant
Qualifications: Masters Degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
Lives: Walsall, West Midlands

Fashion conscious Paula is an academic with a love for interior design. Born and raised in Walsall, Paula, a self-confessed scatter brain, admits to liking being liked and shying away from conflict, finding that as a result she is often left with issues unresolved. At the age of 18, Paula was a four-star sergeant in the army cadets and represented the army at county level in shooting.

She says: "I am the girl with a plan. I have great wit and strength of character, and I am resilient to the core."

Yasmina Siadatan
Age: 27
Career: Restaurateur
Qualifications: BSc Economic History with Population Studies
Lives: London

Highly ambitious restaurant owner and marathon runner Yasmina was born in Hull and spent time living in Los Angeles and Iran before settling in London. Yasmina, who first experienced the world of business in her dad's restaurant, describes herself as dominating yet adaptable and believes that business is about spotting a gap in the market and filling it better than anyone else can. She admires Sir Richard Branson's attitude to personal service and would love to have been the brains behind Microsoft, where the right idea at the right time led to riches.

She says: "Business is about a simple formula. Make more than you spend. That's what I do, I keep business simple and it works – I'm good at it."

Ben Clarke
Age: 22
Career: Trainee Stockbroker
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Economics and Business
Lives: Belfast

Belfast born and bred Ben is the rebellious stockbroker who considers himself to be ruthless and money-obsessed. The former Gavin Henson lookalike is inspired by the Playboy brand and cites Hugh Heffner as one of his most admired business figures. Rugby playing Ben admits to being "cocky" but insists that he takes business very seriously. He is a young professional with what he describes as a raw hunger to make as much money as possible.

He says: "To me, making money is better than sex."

Howard Ebison
Age: 24
Career: Retail Business Manager
Qualifications: CIMA part-qualified accountant – BSc (Hons) Maths and Business Studies
Lives: Derby

Born in Surrey, Howard is an enthusiastic businessman who thrives in managerial positions. Howard, an award-winning dancer, self-trained musician and area manager to 10 pubs, believes that people enjoy working for him. Howard, whose teenage jobs included a paper round he got sacked from and a fish and chip shop shift he despised, now describes himself as family-orientated yet equally ambitious within his career. He hopes to one day set up his own consultancy specialising in customer service.

He says: "I am a credible businessman who wants to go far. I'm incredibly ambitious. If I don't go far down this route I shall go far down another route."

James McQuillan
Age: 32
Career: Senior Commercial Manager
Qualifications: MA (Hons) Economics
Lives: Surrey

Family man James describes himself as a "schmoozer" who people feel comfortable around. Football referee, sports fanatic and former child chess champion James is inspired by people with passion and cites the likes of Al Pacino and JK Rowling as his inspirational figures. James, who claims to suffer from "foot in mouth syndrome", has worked as a labourer, trolley collector and a nightclub doorman before finding his niche in commercial management. He describes himself as likeable and selfless and would love to have been the brains behind The A-Team.

He says: "I'm astute and shrewd and smart ... maybe blunt at times."

Majid Nagra
Age: 28
Career: Business Development Manager
Qualifications: BSc Computer Science
Lives: Coventry

Reformed rebel Maj sees himself as loyal with the belief that business is the backbone to the world. Born in Coventry, Maj, who describes his attitude as "never say die", was expelled from school for wayward behaviour but, having changed his life around, he now works with youth centres and charities while running his own car hire business. Describing himself as funny and talkative, Maj says he never shies away from the spotlight.

He says: "I think that business is the backbone to this world – without companies buying and selling, there wouldn't be any economy"

Noorul Choudhury
Age: 33
Career: Science Teacher
Qualifications: GTTP, CIM
Lives: Rochdale

Science teacher Noorul hopes to eventually become a property development millionaire. Fashion-obsessed, he believes that Argos should be banned from selling jewellery and aims to one day start up a men's tailoring business. Describing himself as a straight-talking leader, he loves being kept on his feet and confesses to always putting work first. He believes that business is a cut-throat, dog-eat-dog game that you must play to win.

He says: "I have always been ambitious and driven and I've got the capabilities to deliver. I am not all talk… I can manage a team of people, total strangers, even, because I am feisty and have an attitude."

Phillip Taylor
Age: 29
Career: Estate Agent
Qualifications: NEBS Certificate in Management
Lives: County Durham

Born and raised in County Durham, Phillip, who describes himself as "confident and charming", believes he can deal with people on any level. A self-confessed control freak, he is passionate about all projects he involves himself in and considers himself to be a nice guy who people can relate to. He believes that you should make friends but make money while doing it.

He says: "Business is the new rock 'n' roll and I'm Elvis Presley."

Rocky Andrews
Age: 21
Career: Sandwich chain owner
Qualifications: N/A
Lives: North Yorkshire

Rocky is this year's youngest candidate and already earns more than the salary on offer from Sir Alan. He left school at 16 to pursue a career in football with Middlesbrough United but was soon diagnosed with arthritis – making it impossible to continue. Rocky since decided to start up a sandwich business at the age of 17 – which now includes 15 lucrative shops across the North East of England.

He says: "For me, business is about hard work, attention to detail, being willing to make mistakes and learning from these mistakes."